Amputation is the removal of a limb or extremity. Amputations can be traumatic or surgical. Traumatic amputations are those that occur in an accident and may be complete or partial. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of traumatic amputation. Amputations are expensive injuries, requiring extensive medical treatment and often requiring prosthetics. Recovery can be lengthy and painful. Phantom pain or sensation is a common neurological consequence of amputation and can begin immediately or may not develop for months or years after the injury.
Traumatic Amputation
Traumatic amputation can occur in many types of accidents. A limb or appendage may be completely removed in an accident or the amputation may be partial, requiring full removal to be completed surgically. Amputations can include removal of one or more of the following:
- Ears
- Fingers or parts of fingers
- Hands
- Arms
- Toes
- Feet
- Legs
Accidents causing or leading to amputation include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- ATV accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Car door accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Building door accidents
- Criminal attacks
- Accidents involving tools or machinery
- Construction accidents
- Factory accidents
- Heavy equipment accidents
- Railroad accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Explosions
- Firearms accidents
- Ring avulsion
- Drug injuries
- Medical malpractice
Amputations are Life-Changing Injuries
Amputation injuries require a long and difficult recovery time and often mean learning news ways to do just about everything in your life. Medical expenses can be overwhelming, even for small amputations such as finger amputation. Complications requiring a subsequent hospital stay are not uncommon, especially with lower limb amputation. Complications can include:
- Infection
- Muscle shortening
- Pulmonary embolism
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
- Phantom limb pain or sensation
Phantom sensation affects about 80% of amputees and is the experience of being able to “feel” the missing body part. It can involve tingling, itching or pain, and it is different for each person. Phantom sensations can be mild or very strong and may be fleeting sensations or may last for hours at a time. It may start right away or can take months or years after amputation to develop.
If your amputation was the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses and lost income as well as your pain and suffering, diminished quality of life and your out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more, please call Adam Smith Law at 702-929-2289 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Adam Smith Law